MIAMI (AP) — Owen Caissie was a triple shy of the cycle and hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly as the Miami Marlins beat the San Francisco Giants 4-3 on Friday night.
Javier Sanoja had two hits and scored twice for the Marlins, who are a major league-best 12-4 in June.
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Miami Marlins' Javier Sanoja hits a bunt single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers watches after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Lake Bachar (84) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Marlins relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (29) shakes hands with catcher Joe Mack, left, after the Marlins defeated the San Francisco Giants during a baseball game, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Marlins' Owen Caissie runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Giants reliever Sam Hentges (1-2) hit Esteury Ruiz with a pitch leading off the seventh inning. Sanoja singled and Liam Hicks followed with a tying single that advanced Sanoja to third. He scored on Caissie’s flyball to deep left field.
Cade Gibson (1-0) retired all four batters he faced for the win. Calvin Faucher relieved Gibson and got the last two outs in the eighth before Pete Fairbanks closed with a perfect ninth for his 10th save this season and the 100th of his career.
The Marlins used eight pitchers in a bullpen game.
Rafael Devers’ homer for the Giants against Michael Petersen leading off the sixth tied it 2-all. Jung Hoo Lee followed with a double and scored on Casey Schmitt’s go-ahead single.
Caissie’s run-scoring double in the fifth put Miami ahead 2-1.
San Francisco starter Landen Roupp allowed two runs and seven hits over six innings and 98 pitches. Roupp, who struck out seven, is winless in eight outings since April 26, when he completed 7 2/3 innings in a 6-3 home victory against the Marlins.
Caissie gave Miami an early lead with his solo homer in the first. He drove a cutter from Roupp over the wall in center for his eighth homer.
The Giants tied it in the second on Daniel Susac’s sacrifice fly. Marlins opener Lake Bachar allowed consecutive singles to Willy Adames, Schmitt and Drew Gilbert before Susac hit a drive to the warning track in left that Kyle Stowers tracked down.
RHP Trevor McDonald (2-4, 4.64 ERA) starts Saturday for the Giants against Marlins RHP Max Meyer (7-0, 2.75).
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Miami Marlins' Javier Sanoja hits a bunt single during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
San Francisco Giants' Rafael Devers watches after hitting a solo home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Marlins starting pitcher Lake Bachar (84) throws during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Marlins relief pitcher Pete Fairbanks (29) shakes hands with catcher Joe Mack, left, after the Marlins defeated the San Francisco Giants during a baseball game, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Miami Marlins' Owen Caissie runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, June 19, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
SEATTLE (AP) — Christian Pulisic’s injury absence didn’t hurt the Americans one bit.
The U.S. national soccer team found a way to advance to the knockout round without the injured forward on the field, beating Australia 2-0 Friday for its second straight victory at the largest World Cup in history.
“C.P. is a fantastic player — the quality and the leadership that he gives us,” said Folarin Balogun, who scored two goals in the 4-1 victory over Paraguay on June 12. “We didn’t have him today, but I think you saw we’re still capable to go out there and get a result and put up a performance.”
Pulisic, who plays for AC Milan and has 33 goals in 87 international appearances, missed Friday’s match because of a calf injury.
To play without a superstar like Pulisic could have derailed previous American teams in World Cup play. But much has changed since the last time they served as World Cup hosts in 1994, when they advanced by being one of the best third-place teams. They then lost to eventual champion Brazil in their next match, which was in the round of 16.
At this year's 48-team tournament, the U.S. has won consecutive games for the first time at a World Cup since 1930. The Americans have scored six goals, one off their record for most in a single World Cup, and received contributions throughout their roster.
Alex Freeman, the youngest player on the team at 21 and son of Super Bowl champion Antonio Freeman, gave the Americans a 2-0 lead in the 43rd minute off a set piece. Freeman headed in a deflected shot by Sergiño Dest for his first career World Cup goal. The goal was confirmed after a video review.
“(He) is doing a fantastic job," coach Mauricio Pochettino said of Freeman. “The evolution is massive. He’s so humble. He wants to learn. He always listens. He’s a player that you really enjoy being with him. Not only coaching, but being with him.”
The U.S. took a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute after a run down the left sideline by Balogun.
He directed a centering pass towards striker Ricardo Pepi, who started in place of Pulisic. The ball never reached Pepi, deflecting off Australia defender Cameron Burgess and into the Socceroos’ net for an own-goal.
“I want to be dangerous, I want to create opportunities,” Balogun said. “It might not always be myself that scores, but if I can force an error that gives us the lead, then for me it's like a goal as well. It was a special start to the game to give us the momentum.”
The Americans did not score again after halftime, but the manner with which they so thoroughly dominated Australia in the opening 45 minutes left a lasting impression on Socceroos coach Tony Popovic.
“It did not surprise us because their quality is clear," Popovic said. “Their power is clear. Their athleticism is clear. They are not surprising in what they did.”
Expectations will only increase for the U.S. as they rack up more victories and momentum builds around the team. The way the Americans have started the tournament in dominant fashion has not changed Pochettino's perception of the team and what it is capable of, though.
“I think it’s much better when you show good performances and win the games," Pochettino said. "I think that makes it easier, everything. But, at the same time, it’s (important) to keep believing.”
Still, the U.S. learned it can get out of the group stage without Pulisic. And, they have the roster to make a deep run in the tournament.
“We know how vital Christian is to the team and how much he can contribute in the game," Freeman said. “For us it was, we have Ricardo Pepi, who came in and had an amazing game. I think that just shows how (good) our roster is.”
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
Australia's Paul Okon-Engstler fights for the ball with United States' Weston McKennie, right, during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
United States' Christian Pulisic (10) acknowledges fans during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
United States' Alex Freeman (16) scores their second goal during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
United States' Alex Freeman celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
United States' Ricardo Pepi (9) and Australia's Harry Souttar (19) fight for the ball during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
United States goalkeeper Matt Freese (24) reacts during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
United States' Folarin Balogun (20) and Antonee Robinson (5) celebrate after scoring during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
United States fans hold signs on the stand during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Australia's Aiden O'Neill (13) appeals for offside after United States' Alex Freeman (16) scored a goal past Australia goalkeeper Patrick Beach (18) during the World Cup Group D soccer match between the United States and Australia in Seattle, Friday, June 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Maddy Grassy)
